June 11s and 24 years between them!
Newly wed: sing and his sweet bride on June 11, 1988
On June 11 1988 Alice and I were united as husband and wife.
And the Lord made June 11 2012, 24 years later, a special day - an anniversary with a difference!
All this with thanks to the saints whom we were blessed to meet and fellowship at General Santos City.
On June 11 2012, Alice and I woke up before 3am in time to catch a 3.30am coach for Davao. The bumpy journey took about 3 hrs. A little before 5am, the sky began to dawn, and we caught glimpses of the glorious sunrise as the coach meandered along the coastal 'highway' to Davao. We arrived at the coach terminal at 6.30am and took a taxi to the Airport. We avoided the many noisy hustlers but marched right up to the first taxi in the long queue, and said firmly, 'Sir, airport please. I'll pay 170 pesos.' The driver was pleased with us that we had chosen to take the first taxi in the queue. (The opposite journey from the Airport on the busy Saturday late morning cost 190 pesos). He agreed gladly, and we were at the airport by 7am.
It was cold inside the aircon airport in the early morning! We found a warm place and enjoyed the 'anniversary breakfast' that our host Brother Arnie and Sister Ruth had packed for us - McD's chicken & rice, tuna sandwiches and cucumbers!
The plane left for Manila on time. After the 2hrs flight we arrived NAIA at 12 noon. The flight to KL was scheduled at 2.10pm. We went walking around in the airport, needing to do some exercise. Then Alice asked, 'Darling, what day is today?' 'It's Monday I think,' I replied groggily - not having enough sleep for the last three nights. Then I suddenly remembered, 'O, it's our anniversary. Let's celebrate!' After scouting round the eating outlets a bit, Alice decided having our lunch at Kenny Rogers Roasters - our first time ever! She ordered a plate of chicken (2 pieces) & rice and a fruit yogurt - 300 pesos ($7.50). We enjoyed it together with the remaining cucumber from breakfast. After the great 'anniversary lunch' we went walking around again. The waist is a terrible thing to mind... and Alice keeps reminding me that sitting will make it worse, and there was a lot more sitting later on! We saw another outlet where a plate of chicken (2 similar pieces) & rice that costs only 130 pesos... the explanation for the great difference is KRR is American and this outlet is local brand! I was tempted to eat another round but was persuaded to do more walking and window shopping and speaking to shop attendants.
The flight for KL left at 2.10pm and it was another 4 hrs of bottom numbing journey! There was a great compensation: there was a vacant seat beside us so Alice could lie down and sleep on my lap most of the way! By the time we checked out it was around 6.30pm. The flight to Penang was at 10.10pm. So, we went walking around again to nurse my numbed bottom. We looked for the red wine needed for communion in the duty free shop - found none that suit the need. We bought some chocolate for the children. Alice look around for our 'anniversary dinner' and decided at eat at Marybrown - our first time too. We nearly always eat at the best restaurant - i.e. Mama-Alice Home Restaurant. I made one specific request, 'One BIG tub of coleslaw please.' She ordered 6 pieces of chicken, two fish fillets, a fries and TWO biggest tubs of coleslaw for both of us - RM40 ($13.50) including VAT! We enjoyed our coleslaw and 3 pieces of chicken between us, kept 3 for the children! I could do with another 2 tubs of those coleslaw easily! It was a great 'anniversary dinner' with my most wonderful wife!
The flight for Penang left on time at 10pm. Josiah was already waiting for us at the airport. We reached home at 11.30pm. The Lord has blessed this June 11 as a wonderful day for both of us! He planned it that way!
Blessed be the Lord our God for all His rich mercies and goodness to His children.
